Ronan Groome

12:20 KELLS MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

This is an intriguing maiden hurdle with most of the top stables represented. Willie Mullins won this with Vautour in 2013 and is set to be represented with Scarpeta, who comes off the flat having previously been trained by Mark Johnston. This will be his first run in 490 days however and he might just need it for fitness and experience. Dortmund Park is a winner of two AQPS races in France and is now making his debut in the Gigginstown silks for Gordon Elliott.

However the vote goes to another Gigginstown horse, Dis Donc, who crucially has had experience jumping hurdles. Last time out he finished a close second to Ten Ten at Down Royal where he finished 18 lengths clear of the third Suitor, who has won since. He has improved on each of his three starts over hurdles so there is good reason to expect more from him again today.

Selection: DIS DONC

Next best: Dortmund Park

12:50 DUNMORE MARES MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F

Martello Park brings decent form into this mares maiden hurdle and she should go close. Like a few in this field Mags Mullins’ five-year-old ran to a good level in bumpers but significantly, she has already taken to hurdles well. Her fourth at Thurles was a good effort and was further enhanced by the winner and second, Dawn Shadow and Osco Mosco, winning on their next starts. On her latest start Martello Park ran into the highly-touted Ainsi Va La Vie and though well beaten in second, she finished 18 lengths clear of the third. She has scope to progress now on her third start over hurdles and she looks a big player.

Alighting, Castafiore Park, Sassy Diva and Lackaneen Leader are all interesting mares jumping hurdles for the first time. Slight preference is for the latter-mentioned, who is trained by Gordon Elliott and should enjoy this sort of trip.

Selection: MARTELLO PARK

Next best: Lackaneen Leader

1:25 JOHN LYNCH CARPETS HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 6F

Kickham will have his supporters for this. He has shown little so far but this will be his first foray into handicap company and he has plenty of scope off an opening mark of 93. Perhaps a more solid option would be Robert Tyner’s Pack Your Bags, who ran a big race when second to Alaliya at Down Royal on his previous run and may be able to improve from that effort. There is little between him and the third from that race Skellig Rocks, but Pack Your Bags showed signs he was getting the hang of things and also has the aid of wearing cheekpieces for the first time. Others to note are Glenabo Bridge and Russian Regent, who competes off a hurdles mark which is 25lbs lower than his chase mark.

Selection: PACK YOUR BAGS

Next best: Kickham

2:00 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF KLAIRON DAVIS NOVICE CHASE 2M 1F

A four-runner race but really it looks a match between Jett and Tombstone.

Jett is a second season novice as he didn’t win last season but he did manage to finish a close second to Yorkhill in a Grade 3 chase at Leopardstown. He got off the mark over fences at Thurles on his latest run where he had probably already accounted for Willie Mullins’ Montalbano when that runner fell at the final fence.

Tombstone will be having his fourth start over fences and comes into this off the back of a close second to the 150-rated Woodland Opera in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Chase at Punchestown. The seven-year-old gelding probably has more scope to improve than Jett and may well be more at home over this sort of trip as well.

Selection: TOMBSTONE

Next best: Jett

2:30 MERVYN GRAY CONSTRUCTION BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 4F

Any Second Now looks the one to beat here. Ted Walsh’s gelding made a more than satisfactory start to his chasing career when second to Monalee at Punchestown. He seemed to jump better and generally warm to the task as the race went on and there’s good reason to expect a bit more from him today. He is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and remains an exciting chase recruit.

Invitation Only fell in the same race at Punchestown, and it was much too early in the race to judge his run. That said, it’s not ideal for a horse to fall on his first start over fences and he has a little to prove now. For that reason

Midnight Escape may give Any Second Now the most to do. Gordon Elliott’s horse has performed to a decent level on his first two chase starts and should be at home over this 2m4f trip.

Selection: ANY SECOND NOW

Next best: Midnight Escape

3:05 FOXROCK HANDICAP CHASE 2M 4F

Another valuable handicap chase at Navan that revolves around Acapella Bourgeois. Willie Mullins’ chaser jumped poorly and eventually fell early in the Troytown Chase, where he was remarkably sent off as short as 7/4, just under two weeks ago.

He is dropping in distance but that should not pose a problem given he won around this exact course and distance last season and he remains potentially a well-treated runner for his new trainer.

That said, he is likely to start at a very short price again and he does have a question to answer on his jumping now, which will come more in focus over this shorter distance. Attribution is an interesting runner. Henry de Bromhead’s gelding has won two of his three starts this season and has also won over this course before. His form looks rock solid - he beat the now 157-rated Ballyoisin on his seasonal debut at Limerick and his latest win at the same track came over the progressive-looking Childrens List. He races here off a mark of 143 and J J Slevin takes a valuable 3lbs off his back as well. The likes of Apache Stronghold and Flemenstar are classy types on their day but have questions to answer now.

Selection: ATTRIBUTION

Next best: Acapella Bourgeois

3:35 REA T&J GAVIGAN ESTATE AGENTS FLAT RACE 2M

Noel Meade’s Calicojack performed with credit on his second run, and seasonal debut, when runner-up to Bang Bang Rosie at Punchestown. He has race fitness and racecourse experience on his side and should be at least involved in the finish.

However Gordon Elliott’s Defi Bleu springs off the page as a potentially smart recruit. Lisa O’Neill’s mount ran second to the ill-fated Flemenshill in a point-to-point at Oldtown last February. Flemenshill went on to sell for £480,000 while the third in the race Palmers Hill, sold for £310,000 and has already won on the track for Jonjo O’Neill and J.P. McManus.

Defi Bleu runs in the Gigginstown silks and it seems safe to presume he has fair level of ability. He may be able to overcome inexperience and win on his racecourse debut.

Selection: DEFI BLEU

Next best: Calicojack